Nursing Strategy 2021-2026 - Advancing the Values: Caring, Expert, Quality Final Draft - NET

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Nursing Strategy 2021-2026 - Advancing the Values: Caring, Expert, Quality Final Draft - NET
Nursing Strategy 2021-2026
Advancing the Values: Caring, Expert, Quality
Final Draft
Nursing Strategy 2021-2026 - Advancing the Values: Caring, Expert, Quality Final Draft - NET
Foreword
Betsy Bassis

Welcome to the NHSBT Nursing Strategy for 2021 – 2026. As Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, I
am proud to lead a healthcare organisation that saves and improves lives through the provision of our highly
specialist and varied services.

As an organisation, we have had to rise to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses have been at the
centre of NHSBT’s response. From leadership on infection, prevention and control to innovations in practice
and volunteering to provide support in ICUs, our nurses have been extraordinary. This strategy sets out our
ambition to build on this experience, supporting nurses to further their development and drive improvements in
practice for the benefit of donor and patient care.

This is a strategy for nurses, developed by our nurses. I endorse it wholeheartedly and commend it to all
colleagues - Nurses and non-Nurses alike. In delivering it, I hope that NHSBT will be become a destination of
choice for top nursing talent across the NHS.

Anthony Clarkson

As a Registered Nurse who has dedicated my career to working across the life saving specialities of NHSBT I
fully understand the unique contribution Nurses make to the safe, effective and above all caring delivery of our
services. When Nurses are supported to succeed, NHSBT succeeds and more patients across the UK have
their lives saved and improved through our unique work.

This strategy, developed utilising ideas and feedback from Nurses across our organisation, seeks to develop
the 6 Priorities through which Nursing and NHSBT can grow, improve and embed excellence over the next 5
years. Nurses, as healthcare professionals and leaders, have so much to offer and this strategy will provide
the tools through which every Nurse can develop and thrive.

As the Nursing professions’ representative on the NHSBT Executive Team and NHSBT Board I frequently
enjoy the opportunity to showcase the contribution of Nursing and the inspirational work of Nurses. This
strategy will support the innate qualities of Nurses and Nursing, offering the inclusive, supportive and
innovative environment that will make NHSBT an excellent place for all Nurses to work. I commend this
strategy to every colleague and I look forward to working with each of you in the years ahead to make this
exciting vision a reality.

Chief Nurses

Nurses are at the heart of NHS Blood and Transplants work to save and improve the lives of tens of thousands
of patients every year. Through our efforts, whether it is caring for our patients, donors or providing support to
the families of organ and tissue donors at the time of their sad loss, we bring life and hope to desperately ill
patients across the UK. Our work is unique, highly specialised and highly valued by our patients and our NHS
colleagues. In order for NHSBT to continue to offer world class services into the next decade and beyond it is
vital that every Nurse is offered the support, training and opportunities necessary to reach their full potential.

This Nursing strategy sets out the pathway through which our profession will grow and flourish through the
next 5 years. It is inspired by the views, ambitions and ideas of colleagues across the organisation who gave
their time to contribute to its development. Through our six Priorities we intend to ensure that Nurses have the
practical, pastoral and professional support that will equip them to deliver excellence in their specialty areas
and take pride in their achievements. In doing this we want NHSBT to become an employer of choice for
Nurses, recognised for our commitment to developing our Nurses and for our appreciation of their efforts.

NHSBT and Nursing are a lifesaving combination. As Nurses we dedicate our professional lives to saving and
improving the lives of others and we live our corporate values of Caring, Expert and Quality. We hope you will
find our plans for Nursing at NHSBT to be as exciting and inspirational as we do. Together we will ensue that

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Nursing remains at the heart of everything NHSBT does. We thank you for your hard work and dedication and
are proud to commend this strategy to you.

Chief Nurses names and photos here.

Summary

This second NHSBT Nursing Strategy builds the commitments and ambitions of our profession within a living
document that will be delivered through the work of the new Nursing Council. The success of this strategy is
intrinsically linked to the delivery of the People strategy which supports the vision for Nursing and exists in
partnership with our Directorate Strategies and the Nursing and healthcare Strategies of the four nations. We
encourage all our Nurses to consult with these documents as part of their ongoing professional development.
The Nursing environment will develop through the lifetime of this Strategy but we are confident that the
aspirations contained therein will remain as relevant for Nurses as ever. We look forward to undertaking this
journey with our Nurses and leading Nursing in NHSBT toward our ultimate aim to save and improve more
lives.

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Strategic context
This Nursing Strategy outlines some challenging objectives for the forthcoming years. It exists in partnership
with our corporate and directorate strategies and identifies six key principles which show how our profession
can best support NHSBT to achieve its ambitions. We know that our Nursing leaders, present and future, must
be equipped with the knowledge, skills and tools to achieve our ambitions. The six principles recognise and
embed support for the Nursing profession in NHSBT. It recognises the essential fact that every Nurse, at every
level and location within NHSBT is a leader and an influencer and should be supported to embrace this
responsibility. It also recognises the need for support, development and partnership between NHSBT and our
profession so that together we can provide world class services.

Recruitment and Retention
NHSBT is a UK wide employer of Nurses and as such is subject to the same pressures around Nurse
recruitment and retention as the rest of the NHS. One in three Nurses will reach retirement age within the next
ten years and the Royal College of Nursing calculates that there are 40,000 Nursing vacancies in health and
care settings in England. It is within this context that NHSBT must seek to attract, and retain, excellent Nurses
in order to continue to save and improve lives. In order to recruit Nurses NHSBT must seek to maximise the
channels through which Nurses can join us, considering the potential for supporting the development of the
recognised routes into Nursing: University degree, Nursing Degree Apprenticeship, and Nursing Associate, to
choose NHSBT for placements, learning and networking.

Diversity and Inclusion
NHSBT is committed to creating a Nursing workforce that reflects the communities we serve and a working
environment that is truly inclusive, where employees can be themselves irrespective of their sex, race,
religious or philosophical beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, age,
socio-economic background, gender reassignment status and pregnancy and maternity status. This
commitment will ensure all Nurses know that they are valued and respected in NHSBT and can pursue a
career in which they are able to be their true self without fear of discrimination in any form. This strategy is
designed to support this organisational commitment to diversity and inclusion, recognising that equality is the
foundation upon which all other strategic priorities are built.

COVID-19
The lifespan of this Nursing Strategy will inevitably be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and
its ongoing implications for healthcare and society globally. These factors will influence NHSBT Nurses both
as individuals and professionals, working in an environment where interactions with donors and patients, and
the processes through which the life-saving work of NHSBT can be facilitated are changed. NHSBT Nurses
have already proven their ability to adapt to provide services. From innovations such as the development of
the Convalescent Plasma project, changes to blood donation protocols to keep donors and teams safe and the
preservation of the UK Organ Donation and Transplantation programme through the pandemic, NHSBT
Nurses are central to maintaining life-saving patient services. The pandemic highlighted the stark realities of
health inequalities in the UK which includes patients requiring our Blood, Cells, Tissue and Organs as well as
those requiring our life saving services. NHSBT Nurses have an important role in supporting the work to
address these inequalities and as ever, will ensure that the voices of patients are at the centre of the decision
making required moving forward.

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The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code (The Code)
The Nursing and Midwifery Code provides the principles and standards by which every Nurse at NHSBT
operates. It is central to how NHSBT’s Nursing profession is recruited, developed, and provides healthcare to
our donors and patients across all our services.

Professional Standards

The code contains the professional standards of practice and behaviour that everyone, including patients and
the public, can expect from a Nurse. UK Nurses must act in line with the code, whether they are providing
direct care to individuals, groups or communities or bringing their professional knowledge to bear on Nursing
practice in other roles, such as leadership, education or research. The standards include ensuring practice is
safe and effective, Nurses have a duty to put patients first at all times and to raise concerns as soon as they
believe patients are at risk promoting trust through professionalism. The values and principles set out in the
Code can be applied in a range of practice settings, but they are not negotiable or discretionary.

Autonomy and Responsibility

Many of our Nurses work in diverse practice settings and have different levels of autonomy and responsibility.
However, they all exercise professional judgement and are accountable for their work and the code should be
seen as a way of reinforcing professionalism. When joining the NMC register, and then renewing their
registration, Nurses, commit to upholding these standards. This commitment to professional standards is
fundamental to being part of the profession and provides a clear, consistent and positive message to our
donors, patients, service users and colleagues about what they can expect of those who provide Nursing care.

Safety and Quality

NHSBT is responsible for the safety and quality of the care provided by our Nurses and The Code supports
this objective by ensuring that every contact, action and decision made by our Nurses are governed by core
professional standards and principles. The standards by which our Nurses practise are key to the quality and
safety of the services we provide.

Revalidation

Through revalidation, our Nurses provide evidence of their continued ability to practise safely and effectively
and NHSBT supports its Nurses to revalidate. Revalidation is the process that allows Nurses to maintain their
registration with the NMC. As part of this process, all Nurses need to meet a range of requirements designed
to show that they are keeping up to date and actively maintaining their ability to practise safely and effectively.
Nurses need to collect evidence and maintain records to demonstrate to a confirmer that they have met the
revalidation requirements. Every three years, Nurses will be asked to apply for revalidation using the NMC
Online system as a means of renewing their registration.

There are many synergies with Codes that other registered professionals uphold which supports multi-
disciplinary teamwork. Nurses in senior positions are uniquely placed to encourage partnership working across
professional boundaries. The GMC and the NMC expect Senior Consultants and Senior Nurses to lead from
the front, to act as positive role models for junior staff and ensure that their teams are focused on delivering
positive, effective and compassionate care for patients.

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The Continuing Commitment to Our Corporate Values
This strategy is a joint professional and corporate commitment to the development of Nursing within NHSBT,
and the ongoing lifesaving and improving contribution of Nursing to the services we provide. The priorities set
out, linked inexorably to the corporate values of Caring, Expert and Quality, set the pathway for Nursing
through the next 5 years, creating a stimulating working environment within which Nurses are valued and
nurtured, and where the Nursing profession utilises its unique ethos of donor, donor family and patient centred
excellence and innovation to drive the vital work of NHSBT forward.

The Nursing Strategy presents the strategic priorities that will guide our work in 2021-2026:

    1.   Fostering an Inclusive Culture of Collaboration and Caring
    2.   Promoting Health and Wellbeing of Colleagues
    3.   Maximising the Professional Contribution of Nursing
    4.   Creating a Workforce Ready for the Future
    5.   Recruiting and Retaining Talented Nurses
    6.   Delivering Safe, Effective and Compassionate Care

Caring

Caring about our donors, their families, our staff and the patients we serve.
    •    Fostering an Inclusive Culture of Collaboration and Caring
    •    Promoting Health and Wellbeing of colleagues

Expert

Being expert in meeting the needs of our customers and partners.
    •    Maximising the Professional Contribution of Nursing
    •    Creating a Workforce Ready for the Future

Quality

Providing quality products, services, and experiences for donors, staff and patients
    •    Recruiting and Retaining Talented Nurses
    •    Delivering Safe, Effective and Compassionate Care

(note to marketing, can we use the diagram graphic for our corporate values used in the 1st Nursing
Strategy please?)

Delivering and Measuring Success
Every NHSBT Nurse should identify how their contribution will help achieve the objectives of this strategy,
which will be brought alive through a workplan developed, implemented and measured by the Nursing Council.
The delivery of these strategic priorities will be via individual action plans aligned to each priority. Progress on
these plans will be reviewed at each Nursing Council meeting and reported annually to the NHSBT Executive
Team and Board.

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1.        Fostering an Inclusive Culture of Collaboration and Caring
Combining NHSBT’s corporate values of Caring, Expert and Quality with Nursing’s professional commitment
to placing the patient and their needs at the heart of everything Nurses do.

In order to achieve a culture of collaboration the culture must be inclusive, where all Nurses and those who
provide care to our donors, their families and patients have the opportunity to contribute to and influence the
services we provide. Nurses as strong compassionate leaders recognise the necessity of an inclusive culture
to ensure excellent care for donors and patients is front and centre in all that NHSBT does and plans to do. In
doing this Nurses advocate for donors and patients and are appreciated for their commitment to that role and
supported to deliver exceptional care in every circumstance.

In order to achieve this NHSBT will:

1.a       Develop communication: In order to minimise professional isolation NHSBT will improve
          communication channels across the organisation, enabling Nurses to share clinical and nursing best
          practice. Seeking council and embedding Nurses in decision making that effects their professional
          practice.

1.b       Support Nurses to collaborate across the organisation and wider NHS: Through supporting the
          development of internal and external links and relevant collaboration, Nursing will play an important
          part in shaping the NHSBT of the future. Skilled and knowledgeable Nurses are very well placed to
          work across organisational boundaries to ensure our donors, donor families and patients receive the
          care they deserve.

1.c       Recognise the contribution of Nursing: Ensure that Nurses continue to receive the professional and
          personal recognition for delivering excellent care. This will include raising the profile of NHSBT
          Nursing, ensuring that excellent practice is celebrated, respected and valued.

In order to achieve this Nurses will:

1.d       Promote professional collaboration: Nurses will proactively collaborate with other professions
          across the organisation and wider NHS, and through providing input into policy development and
          change management processes ensure excellent care is provided to donors and patients.

1.e       Advocate for those accessing our services: Nurses will represent and advocate for donors, patients
          and those accessing our services. In doing so Nurses will ensure we place the donor and patient at the
          heart of decision making and that our services provide excellent standards of care.

1.f       Champion excellent care: Create an environment where best practice is shared and adopted
          providing appropriate challenge when excellent care is not being achieved, highlighting areas of
          practice that require revision and change.

We will be successful when:

      •   Nurses feel well informed and part of the wider NHSBT Nursing community with improved
          communications across the profession and cross-directorate.
      •   Nursing representatives are routinely included in change and development programmes were donor or
          patient care is impacted.
      •   NHSBT Nursing and standards of care achieve national recognition within the profession and wider
          healthcare arena.

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2.        Promoting Health and Wellbeing of Colleagues
Ensuring all Nurses in NHSBT are supported, safe and able to work in an environment where their
psychological and physical health are an absolute priority. Thus empowered, Nurses can then utilise their
skills and compassion to care for donors and patients, ensuring NHSBT offers truly excellent care to all service
users.

NHSBT Nurses and Nurses in the wider NHS have openly expressed that wellbeing has become a significant
impactor upon the working experience. Wellbeing has a significant impact on how engaged Nurses feel, and
whether they want to stay in an organisation. NHSBT relies upon the Nursing profession to deliver front line
patient care, and to ensure that the voice of the patient is represented across the organisation. Working in
partnership with the People strategy NHSBT will ensure that high quality wellbeing initiatives are in place to
support Nurses to care for themselves as they seek to care for donors and patients.

In order to achieve this NHSBT will:

2.a       Set health and wellbeing as an organisational priority: Ensure Health and Wellbeing services are
          available for all Nurses, such as Psychological Peer Support Networks, which are accessible and
          flexible to meet their needs. Being an organisation that nurtures self-care and promotes a culture of
          care and compassion where Nurses feel supported.

2.b       Support Nurses in promoting health and wellbeing: Promote a culture where colleagues can voice
          concerns without fear, ensuring regular Health and Wellbeing discussions are taking place.

2.b       Learn from Nurses: Sustain an open dialogue and listen to Nurses, recognising that their lived
          experiences are a vital tool in developing the Health and Wellbeing services that are needed to support
          them.

In order to achieve this Nurses will:

2.d       Role model professional behaviour: Adhering to the NMC professional standards of practice and
          behaviour recognise and prioritise their own mental, physical health and wellbeing, as well as
          supporting colleagues to do so.

2.e       Own their own health and wellbeing: As healthcare professionals Nurses understand the
          importance of health and wellbeing and as such should actively participate in programmes to care
          for their own health in order to effectively care for others.

2.f       Seek support: When required, engage with the support that’s on offer in NHSBT, including seeking
          advice when unsure. Highlighting areas in which there are barriers or challenges to accessing support
          that meets their needs.

We will be successful when:

      •   Our Voice surveys show an improvement in Health and Wellbeing experiences for Nurses including
          closing gaps between protected characteristics.
      •   All Nurses feel they have access and the ability to engage with the support that meets their needs, in
          order to carry out their role.
      •   Health and wellbeing support is not a factor in Nurse retention rates.

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3 Maximising the Professional Contribution of Nursing
Commitments to developing Nurses, encouraging excellence and enabling world class care for our patients,
donors and families.

Nurses in NHSBT are committed to achieving professional excellence and providing world class services to all
those who rely upon NHSBT for the Blood, Organs, Tissues and Services that save and improve their lives.
Nurses offer a broad professional skill set to the organisation that strengthens and at all points support the
NHSBT values. This includes, highly advanced communication skills, leadership, and clinical decision making
bringing a holistic view to all activities. Imbedded within the NMC Professional standards of practice and
behaviour for Nurses (The Code), Nurses also bring a unique set of professional qualities that strengthen the
ethos of patient and donor centred care. While Nurses across the organisation have disparate skills sets there
is still much that unites Nursing professionals. NHSBT commits to developing the mechanisms through which
Nurses can contribute to the services and developments throughout the organisation using the skills that are
inherent in the modern professional Nurse.

In order to achieve this NHSBT will:

3.a       Support professional contribution: Facilitate the contribution of Nurses through new Nursing roles
          and supporting secondments and development opportunities into roles not traditionally undertaken by
          Nurses.

3.b       Strengthen clinical supervision and reflective practice: Reflective practice is a corner stone of
          professional Nursing supporting revalidation, registration and professional development. The clinical
          supervision framework will be refreshed to ensure all Nurses are supported to undertake clinical
          supervision and practice reflective learning.

3.c       Promoting the profile of Nurses: Encourage external engagement with key stakeholders,
          professional bodies and colleges to ensure that we are at the forefront of progressive Nursing care.

In order to achieve this Nurses will:

3.d       Apply their professional expertise: Seeking opportunities to undertake research in the specialised
          fields of work within which NHSBT operates. Sharing research outcomes via a number of internal and
          external platforms actively contributing to NHSBT’s position as a world leading organisation.

3.e       Promoting professional values: Demonstrating and sharing evidence based practice across the
          Nursing community and throughout NHSBT. Using their specialised knowledge and outward facing
          roles to gain feedback from lived experiences to develop improvements, to shape services and commit
          to providing the world class services that NHSBT donors and patients deserve.

3.f       Utilise the NHSBT Nursing Council. Through the Nursing Council share ideas, best practice and
          challenge sub-optimal performance. Nurses, directly or via directorate representation, will use this
          forum to champion service improvement and excellence in care. The Council will play an active role in
          ensuring Nursing is a pro-active influencer in policy and performance.

 We will be successful when:

      •   The NHSBT Nursing Council represents, reflects, and addresses the ambitions and concerns of the
          profession across the organisation.
      •   Nurses are empowered and encouraged to undertake or be part of research in the organisation,
          enhancing the reputation and leading innovation in their field.
      •   NHSBT actively supports professional Nursing practice and facilitates the contribution of Nursing
          across the organisation.

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4         Creating a Workforce Ready for the Future
Working in partnership with the People Strategy we will create a Nursing workforce equipped with the
necessary skills, pastoral, technical, clinical and specialist, to deliver NHSBT services into the next decade.

Healthcare is constantly evolving and the specialist services delivered across NHSBT utilise every aspect of
modern healthcare technology to save and improve lives. A key aspect of a successful 21st Century Nursing
workforce is recognising and supporting the need for all Nurses to embrace advances in healthcare and the
changing scope in which they can practice. Embracing new ways of working in Nursing teams that utilise the
skills set of both support staff and experienced clinical practitioners. Advances in genomics could change the
requirements for NHSBT therapies, digital advances could revolutionise how potential donors are screened
and hardware and software improvements will impact upon how Nursing as a profession delivers care in the
future. If NHSBT is to offer a world class service, and attract, develop and retain the most aspirational Nurses,
it must embrace these changes whilst encouraging and training every Nurse to take advantage of them.

In order to achieve this NHSBT will:

4.a       Empower Nurses to seek professional development: Opportunities for new and traditional
          professional development will be made available from apprenticeships through to formal master level
          qualifications.

4.b       Inspire the Nurse leaders of tomorrow: NHSBT is committed to developing inclusive leadership from
          across the organisational Nursing cohort. This will include action to support and increase the diversity
          of our Nurses ensuring that Nurses have access to high quality leadership programmes.

4.c       Ensure Every Nurse is an E-Nurse. Support those who are unfamiliar or cautious with advances in
          digital care, by allowing Nurses to access expertise and educational resources. Maximise the
          opportunities digital learning, and e-portfolios have to offer in a way that best fits with a Work/Home
          balance.

In order to achieve this Nurses will:

4.d       Embrace the opportunity. Embrace the vision of the highly skilled and educated workforce, excelling
          in the potential new technology offers to improve patient care, ensuring care for donors and patients is
          maximised.

4.e       Engage in continuous professional development: Ensure that they follow professional revalidation
          process, actively seeking learning that will enhance their practice.

4.f       Encourage and support learners and colleagues: Actively encourage and support Nurse learners in
          the organisation, utilising their teaching and supervision skills to impart specialist knowledge and
          encourage professional Nurse development. Seek opportunities and promote change to transform the
          care provided within their specialism.

We will be successful when:

      •   Nurses are competent and confident to utilise new and emerging technologies to deliver improved
          patient care, as well as for professional development activities such as reflective practice and work-
          based learning.
      •   NHSBT Nurses are recognised as being at the forefront of work within the profession to develop the
          concept of the E-Nurse.
      •   We have a diverse Nursing leadership where Nurse Leaders contribute to and influence the serves
          NHSBT provides.

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5         Recruiting and Retaining Talented Nurses
Creating a diverse, supportive and flexible working environment capable of attracting and retaining the best
Nursing talent to NHSBT.

Creating a value proposition for Nurses to address recruitment and retention challenges is essential if NHSBT
is to continue to save and improve lives through the provision of essential Blood, Organs, Tissues and patient
Services. This issue was highlighted during the engagement programme for this strategy, with feedback
indicating that efforts should be focused both upon attracting the best Nurses to NHSBT and working with
Nurses to determine how best to retain that talent.

Meeting the challenge of Nurse recruitment and retention through the lifetime of this strategy will require
NHSBT to create an environment which is attractive to the needs of the modern healthcare professional.
Delivering this priority will involve close collaboration across NHSBT. A key part of future recruitment priorities
will be ensuring equality of opportunity for Nurses from BAME communities. Nursing as a profession is
committed to creating a working environment that is truly inclusive and will work in partnership with colleagues
from the People and Strategy Teams to develop recruitment, training and processes that deliver the NHSBT
commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

In order to achieve this NHSBT will:

5.a       Innovate in recruitment. Using the latest evidence and recognised recruitment practice, NHSBT will
          showcase the unique work, impact and flexibility of the work to attract, select and appoint the talented
          Nurses our donors and patients deserve.

5.b       Develop a representative Nursing cohort. Create a Nursing workforce that represents the
          communities we serve, increasing the representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic Nurses,
          ensuring we are best placed to deliver excellent care and services to all communities.

5.c       Maximise career opportunities. Creating a sustainable highly skilled Nursing workforce, developing
          opportunities for a fulfilling career including opportunities for joint posts and cross-Directorate transfers
          where this will support Nurses to remain within NHSBT. New and advanced clinical Nursing roles will
          be explored allowing for non-managerial progression as well as considering the opportunities for
          Nursing Associate roles. Ensuring there is a visible career pathway for all patient and donor facing
          colleagues.

In order to achieve this Nurses will:

5.d       Actively promote NHSBT as an employer of choice. Champion the breath of NHSBT Nursing
          opportunities within the wider healthcare arena and Nursing networks. Demonstrate the contribution
          Nursing makes to safe, effective and high quality care to donors and patients.

5.e       Recruit colleagues based on merit and values. Use value based recruitment processes to attract
          and appoint the right staff ensuring a representative panel and fair process.

5.f       Develop our policies. Through the NHSBT Nursing Council and in collaboration with the People
          Directorate consider future recruitment and retention practice and policies, ensuring the latest
          professional guidance is taken into account.

We will be successful when:

      •   The Nursing workforce reflects the donors and patients we serve including 15% of the cohort being
          from BAME communities.
      •   Nurses feel supported to build a career within NHSBT.
      •   Retention rates are better than the national NHS average.

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6         Delivering Safe, Effective and Compassionate Care
Quality is the driving standard for all Nurses in NHSBT, ensuring that the care provided to donors, patients and
colleagues is appropriate, beneficial, caring and above all safe. To practice effectively all Nurses maintain the
highest professional standards and NHSBT will support that work by ensuring comprehensive and rigorous
procedures are in place to embed quality at all levels in the organisation.

Clinical governance is a systematic approach to ensure that all donors and patients receive the best care and
is a shared responsibility. Whilst we share accountability for the care we deliver with other colleagues Nurses
are ideally placed and skilled to optimise care while minimising risks to those who use our services as a
routine part of their role. The Directorate Chief Nurses provide a key leadership role within clinical governance
working in tandem with the Medical Directors and chairing the Directorate Clinical Audit Risk and Effectiveness
(CARE) Committees. The Directorate Chief Nurses also collectively lead on relevant corporate policy areas
including; Safeguarding, Medicines Management, Resuscitation and Clinical Supervision.

In order to achieve this NHSBT will:

6.a       Ensure effective systems are in place: Support systems and structures to ensure effective joint
          working between managers and Nurses in the provision of safe, high-quality care whilst supporting
          Nurses to meet their professional responsibilities.

6.b       Support effective safeguarding: Ensure we meet our safeguarding responsibilities protecting adults
          and children’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and
          neglect. All Nursing staff will be appropriately trained in safeguarding.

6.c       Support the development of professional core skills: Recognising the core skills required to deliver
          safe, effective and compassionate care providing effective and high quality mandatory and professional
          training and clinical supervision.

In order to achieve this Nurses will:

6.d       Learn from quality incidents: Actively taking part in patient safety processes, learning from quality
          incidents and best practice to improve care. Reporting incidents and near misses when they occur and
          appropriately escalating patient safety issues to managers.

6.e       Promote the highest standards of care: Regularly reviewing donor and patients experience
          indicators to identify opportunities for improvement in delivering a quality experience to all donors,
          families and patients. Ensuring the views of donors and patients are considered and act as their
          advocate as appropriate.

6.f       Support quality and regulatory compliance: Proactively support and where appropriate lead the
          clinical and care aspects of quality and regulatory compliance and audit, including those undertaken by
          the MHRA, HTA and CQC.

We will be successful when:

      •   Nurses feel supported and able to deliver care to a high professional standard.
      •   Excellence in donor and patient experience is achieved.
      •   Patient and donor outcomes related to safety and satisfaction are improved.

                                         END OF DOCUMENT

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